Kromer knows full well potency of Saints offense

Bears offensive coordinator filling in defensive counterpart based on his New Orleans experience

October 03, 2013|By Rich Campbell, Chicago Tribune reporter

Bears' offensive coordinator/offensive line coach Aaron Kromer spoke earlier this week with defensive coordinator Mel Tucker about what to expect from quarterback Drew Brees and the Saints offense Sunday.

Kromer knows that group well because he was the Saints' offensive line coach and running game coordinator from 2008 until he joined new Bears coach Marc Trestman's staff during the offseason.

Kromer believes there's a limit, though, to the value of what he shared with Tucker.

"Everything about their offense you can see on tape," Kromer said. "You watch them over the years, you know what they're going to do. They try to out-technique you and they try to out-play you, out-precision you. So if he watches the tape, that's all he needs to see."

Kromer was the Saints' interim coach for the first six games last season after coach Sean Payton and assistant head coach Joe Vitt were suspended as a result of the bounty scandal. They went 2-4 for him after losing the first four.

Those were chaotic, unprecedented times, Payton said.

"The thing Aaron brought to us, though, was real good consistent play up front," said Payton, who first coached with Kromer at Miami of Ohio during the 1990s. "He developed our linemen. He was a part of us winning a Super Bowl as our offensive line coach and someone who was really passionate about the game."

Trestman sought him out after he got the Bears job because of the impression Kromer made on him during their time together with the Raiders from 2001-03.

"Aaron has a unique package of a very, very good communicator," Trestman said. "He's a quick-minded, football-minded guy who understands the real detailed, technical things that go on with playing offensive line. It's not just who we block. It's quite different than that. It's much more detailed and refined than that, and he has the ability to communicate that. And his record speaks for itself."

Each player's status is day-to-day, Trestman said. Tillman worked some on the side Thursday. Defensive end Julius Peppers (chest) and tight end Martellus Bennett (right shoulder) fully participated in practice after being limited Wednesday.

Safety Anthony Walters (left hamstring) did not practice for the second straight day. Cornerback Sherrick McManis (quadriceps) was limited.